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By RACHEL RAIFORD | Staff Writer 

MONTEVALLO —  Residents can look forward to an evening of holiday festivities during the return of the annual Montevallo Christmas Parade on Thursday, Dec. 5.

The parade will start at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Wadsworth Street and Ashville Road on Highway 119 and roll through Main Street ending at Shelby Street.

Downtown Montevallo has already gotten into the holiday spirit with storefronts and even the University of Montevallo decorating for the Christmas season. 

To kick off the event, there will be a tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. on the post office lawn where, leading up to the parade, businesses and student groups have had the opportunity to decorate storefronts for a chance to be awarded three winning prizes in each category. Winners for each category will be announced at the tree lighting prior to the parade.

Parade entries are eligible to win a trophy in a variety of categories, including Best Overall, Most Creative, Most Christmas Spirit and Best Theme.

Registration for parade participation is free, but those interested in floating through the parade must return a completed application to the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce by Monday, Nov. 25. Registration forms may be emailed to montevallochamber@gmail.com or mailed to P.O. Box 270, Montevallo, AL 35115. Each group entry has to have a designated parade leader to represent their group. Each float should be decorated with a Christmas or holiday theme. Participants and attendees are encouraged to follow all safety guidelines during the parade.